David R. Armstrong, Hermitage, passed away early Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2014, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 78. Mr. Armstrong was born April 13, 1936, in Greensburg, Pa., a son of Russell and Gertrude Reynolds Armstrong. A 1954 graduate of Sharon High School, he received his bachelor's degree in business from Youngstown State University and later attended Kent (Ohio) State University. During high school, Dave was employed at the F.H. Buhl Boys Club in Sharon, and then worked for two years as a draftsman at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. He served in the Navy Reserves for three years and later in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard pilot training program. Dave began an illustrious career in the newspaper industry more than 50 years ago at The Sharon Herald in its classified sales department. He moved to Florida in the mid-1960s for a couple of years, where he worked as a sales consultant for the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun Sentinel. He then returned to the area and continued his employment with The Herald, where he worked in many capacities, including retail sales manager and advertising director. He retired in 1998 as The Herald's marketing director after nearly 40 years of employment. Dave was a member of Grace Chapel Community Church, Hermitage; the Sharon University Club; and the Hermitage Optimist Club. He served on the board of directors for United Way of Mercer County, Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and Shenango Valley YMCA. He enjoyed many years of handball and racquetball at the Buhl Club and playing euchre at the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge, Post 103, Sharon. Dave was also a member of the Century Club on Pymatuning Lake, where he moored his sailboat and enjoyed sailing and racing with his wife, Gail, as his first mate. He co-founded Fleet 9 of the Wayfarer class sailboat and served as fleet measurer. Dave enjoyed golfing and played in the Sharon Herald and Friday Night Couples leagues at Tam O'Shanter Golf Course; and the Monday Morning Senior League at Birchwood Golf Course. Dave was a model builder most of his life and enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled aircraft and boats. Throughout the years, Dave and his wife enjoyed many wonderful times at the beach in North Carolina and later on Fort Myers Beach in Florida. Surviving are: his loving wife, the former Gail Frazier, whom he married June 7, 1958, in the former St. Joseph Church, Sharon; a daughter, Lisa Nicole Gregory, Pittsburgh; a son, David Eric Armstrong and his wife, Tammy, Utica; and four grandchildren, Zackary David Armstrong and Elizabeth Renee Armstrong, and Adam Gregory and Victoria Tori Gregory. Dave was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Duane; and a sister, Deborah, who died at birth. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice. ARMSTRONG David R., 78, of Hermitage. Calling hours: Noon until time of service Tuesday (12-2-14) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Service: A celebration of Dave's life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.